Matthys leaving K-State baseball team

Last year, Jake Matthys was given the ball to start the most important baseball game in Kansas State history.

A year later, he’s leaving.

The Mercury learned Thursday that the sophomore relief pitcher has requested a transfer from K-State to a school closer to home.

The Spring Lake Park, Minn., native had a breakout freshman season, becoming the first player in K-State history to earn Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors.

Matthys went 9-1 with a 1.89 ERA and nine saves in a school-record 33 relief appearances. Matthys’ nine wins in 2013 were the second most in school history since AJ Morris’ 14-win season in 2009.

He earned All-Big 12 first-team honors and first-team and second-team honors on two different All-America teams.

But his sophomore year was a different story. Much like the struggles of the team in 2014, Matthys struggled his way to a 2-5 record with an 8.07 ERA and just three saves. He led K-State relievers with 22 strikeouts.

From his personal twitter account, Matthys left a message for his K-State teammates and fans.

“Thank you to everyone at K-State,” he said. “Going to miss being there and being apart of that team.”